While the club has not revealed the reasons for David Villa's early departure back to New York City, a combination of football, family and marketing reasons are thought to be behind his exit.

Spanish star David Villa is leaving Australia this week just four matches into an expected 10-game loan stint with Melbourne City.

While the club has not revealed the reasons for Villa's early departure back to New York City, a combination of football, family and marketing reasons are thought to be behind his exit.

Villa's family has been settling in the United States while he plays in Melbourne.

New York City FC, who like Melbourne City are owned by English champions Manchester City, are meanwhile expecting him to fulfil football and promotional obligations before the start in March of the US Major League Soccer season.

John Aloisi, who preceded John van`t Schip as coach of Melbourne City, said the reasons for the World Cup winner's departure remained unclear.

"If he's missing his family you would think that they would just fly the family out," former Socceroo striker Aloisi told Fox Sports Monday.

"If they're saying he needs to promote New York City over there, you would have thought they would have announced that beforehand.

"Reading in between the lines, I think there's something else.

"I don't know if he's totally happy or if they've already planned he was only going to be here for four games."